Wheeler National Monument

Colorado

18th National Monument

300 Acres

Established by Presidential Proclamation:

December 7, 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt

Disbanded as a National Monument:

August 8, 1950 by the 81st Congress

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheeler_Geologic_Area

Colorado's first National Monument was originally managed by the U. S. Forest Service. The monument was transferred to the National Park Service by Executive Order 6166 on June 10, 1933. In 1950, it was transferred back to the U. S. Forest Service and became a part of Rio Grande National Forest, and is now a part of the La Garita Wilderness. The site features heavily eroded ash formations, erupted from the La Garita Caldera approximately 25 millions years ago.

While one article suggests that the monument was abolished because the site was "deemed of insufficient quality for national park status," this is not really the case. In reality, it was just too remote, barely visited, and would require too many resources to develop and to maintain.

According to an article on RootsRated.com:

In the late 19th century Wheeler was more accessible and famous. Reporters dubbed it the “Bryce Canyon of Colorado” and it was reputedly the state’s second most popular tourist attraction after Pikes Peak. Its unique geology led President Teddy Roosevelt to create Wheeler National Monument, Colorado’s first national monument, in 1908 since its “volcanic formations…are of unusual scientific interest as illustrating erratic erosion.”

However, by the 1950s, only "an average of 50 people visited it each year."

Without a road to the area, few people trekked to Wheeler in the first half of the 20th century. “Do not attempt without guides,” was the standard warning to visitors. Finally, the park service handed the area back to the forest service in 1950 because “of the isolation of this area and the very limited visitation.”

The Forest Service considered developing the site, but eventually decided that the fragility of the site was better served by its isolation. In 1993, it was added to the La Garita Wilderness Area, ensuring that it will retain its roadless status.